Sean Pierson out at UFC 158, Rick Story now meets Quinn Mulhern

Canadian welterweight Sean Pierson (13-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has been forced out a planned UFC 158 matchup with Rick Story (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC), and Quinn Mulhern (18-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has been tapped as a replacement.

UFC officials today announced the change.

UFC 158 takes place March 16 at Montreal’s Bell Centre. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook. Pierson vs. Story was slated for the evening’s FX broadcast, but it’s unknown if the new fight will keep that same slot.

Mulhern makes his UFC debut after four appearances under the Strikeforce banner. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt debuted in June 2011 with a decision loss to Jason High but then bounced back with victories over Yuri Villefort, David Hulett and Danny Davis.

He now faces Story, who desperately needs a win. Since a six-fight UFC win streak that had him in the title picture, the Brave Legion fighter has dropped three of four, including an October submission defeat to Demian Maia. Prior to the setbacks, which included decision defeats to Charlie Brenneman and Martin Kampmann, Story had defeated notables such as top contender Johny Hendricks and former title challenger Thiago Alves.

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